Members

Councillor J. Virgilio

Councillor A. Chiu

A. Gauci

D. Castello

P. Leonidis

A. Riaz

J. M^cintyre

E. Chong

Regrets

P. Tripathi

V. Puri

L. Holt

Staff

L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space

Development

B. Labelle, Committee Clerk

The third (3^rd) meeting of the Public Art Advisory Committee convened at 7:08 p.m.

1. MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON DECEMBER 8, 2004

THE MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the minutes of the second meeting of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee held on December 8, 2004 be adopted.

CARRIED

2. REVISED TERMS OF REFERENCE

Ms. L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development, noted the amendments she had made to the original Terms of Reference for the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee.

THE MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the revised terms of reference for the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee be adopted.

CARRIED

3. DRAFT CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY

The Committee reviewed the draft conflict of interest policy and sought clarification on various matters. There were questions relating to the last section of the policy in which it states: “Artists are ineligible for a project on whose jury they serve”. The Committee discussed whether a MPAAC member, either related directly or indirectly to a piece of art, should be eligible for participation in a contest or program sponsored by the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee (MPAAC). It was agreed that this would in fact be a conflict of interest and that the MPAAC would function with revolving membership to allow artists an opportunity to submit their work after their term expires. It was noted that MPAAC members would still be eligible to submit their work to other programs or competitions not related to MPAAC. Ms. L. Irvine noted that the City of Toronto has similar regulations enshrined in their conflict of interest policy.

Staff acknowledged that the sixth bullet down on the first page which reads “Members of the MPAAC shall not: be eligible for any public art commissions within the Town of Markham” be changed to read “be eligible for public art commissions sponsored by the MPAAC”. The Committee discussed the characterization of “art dealers, and art consultants” and whether these individuals should be eligible for MPAAC membership. The Committee offered suggestions as to how the section could be amended.

Ms. Irvine indicated that she would re-draft the policy using the suggestions gathered from Members and submit the revisions for further review and adoption at the next MPAAC meeting.

4. EXAMPLES OF DEFERRED PUBLIC ART PROPOSALS

Ms. L. Irvine tabled an active proposal by the Thornhill East Don Scouts group for discussion. The project centred on the restoration and relocation of a totem pole. The Committee agreed that it was difficult to assess whether the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee (MPAAC) should support the project because there were no selection criteria in place. Members acknowledged that additional background on the relevance of the project was also necessary. It was recommended that individuals submitting proposals should attend a designated MPAAC meeting to present the substance and intent of their application if asked to do so by the Committee. It was acknowledged that this information would also be necessary when going forward to Council with a recommendation for funding.

Ms. Irvine agreed that a criterion in the form of a municipal public art plan was necessary to achieve the MPAAC’s mandate. She suggested that a consultant be hired by the Town of Markham to assist in the development of a municipal public art. Members recommended that funding also be allocated to smaller programs while the development process is underway. Many agreed that discussions relating to the selection of smaller, interim projects would allow the MPAAC to better facilitate a consultant in the development of a master plan. Upon the recommendation of Members, it was agreed that a rudimentary framework first be established by the Committee and turned over to a consultant for further development. Ms. Irvine suggested that each Member present what they considered important for the Town of Markham in relation to public art at the next meeting.

Members recommended that interim MPAAC projects be aligned with the Communities in Bloom (CIB) initiative. This positioning would improve the influence of the MPAAC to receive initial funding. The Committee noted that direct experience with respect to funding projects and deliberating contentious proposals will entrench the MPAAC as a decision making body within the Town of Markham. The Committee discussed possible methodologies to encourage public artists to come forward with these interim submissions.

THE MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the terms of reference for the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee (MPAAC), attached hereto as Schedule “A”, be recommended for approval to Council, through the Development Services Committee.

And that staff prepare a report to go forward to the February 15th, 2005 meeting of the Development Services Committee to request financial support to engage a consultant to administer a public art event designed to supplement the Communities in Bloom initiative in 2005, and funding to retain a consultant for the purposes of developing a Town of Markham Municipal Public Art Plan.

CARRIED

5. APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR

Ms. L. Irvine mentioned that a staff member from the Community Services and Environment Commission might be attending future meetings to compliment the existing membership. Mr. J. Sales, Commissioner, Community Services and Environment, is currently looking into the possibility.

The Committee heard nominations for the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee (MPAAC) Chair and Vice-Chair.

THE MARKHAM PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That Ms. Judi M^cIntyre will Chair, and Ms. Deborah Castello will Vice-Chair the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee (MPAAC) effective immediately.

CARRIED

6. DATE FOR NEXT MEETING

Next Meeting: February 21^st, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

7. ADJOURNMENT

The third (3^rd) meeting of the Markham Public Art Advisory Committee adjourned at 9:10 p.m.